The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and the National Police have uncovered a Russian intelligence group tasked with carrying out a series of terrorist attacks in the Odessa region.
The offenders were arrested while preparing an explosion near one of the regional police departments.
According to case materials, the terrorists planned to set fire to several service vehicles and then remotely detonate a homemade explosive device (HED) when police arrived at the fire scene.
Investigations revealed that to carry out this plan, the perpetrators settled in a hostel near the target, purchased four gasoline canisters for the fire, and kept explosives disguised as a fire extinguisher in a pre-prepared hideout.
SSU and National Police officers arrested the criminals while they were still preparing for the attack.
The group was identified during the investigation of another crime—the murder of a volunteer from Odessa, which occurred on January 20 this year. The offenders had set fire to the vehicle of a local activist near his house, and when he came out to extinguish the fire, they activated a homemade explosive device hidden in a backpack nearby.
Mobile phones with evidence of the crimes were seized from the detainees.
The investigation revealed that the criminals were three drug addicts, aged between 23 and 45, as well as their 46-year-old accomplice, who had previously served time for theft and robbery.
It was established that the recidivist acted separately from the rest of the group and was responsible for making the explosive devices and placing them in hiding spots.
The offenders are in custody, facing life imprisonment with property confiscation.
